Wildcat Development Plans Receive Financial Boost
Wildcat members of the Eltham Basketball Club have received a significant boost towards the long awaited re-development of the Eltham High School Sports Stadium.
On Tuesday March 15th, the Wildcats and Eltham High School received a visit from the Minister for Sport the Hon. John Eren, where he announced funding of $100,000 for the development of Female Friendly Change Rooms for the stadium (on court 1) and the building of a Referee room for officials.
The funding received allows for works to begin from July 2016. The first stages of development will allow for change rooms on court 1 to be used specifically by players and officials, which will also provide the spectators with additional amenities. “Currently our female players and our visiting opponents use what are normally Men’s general access toilets and this is just no longer a reasonable solution. Whilst every effort goes into securing those change facilities when used by female teams, we have had unfortunate instances where unknowingly spectators have walked into the toilets whilst being used as changerooms. It is just not a suitable solution for all involved” explained Eltham Wildcats CEO Greg Jeffers. He went onto say “I am incredibly thankful to the staff of Nillumbik Shire Council who assisted us in applying for the funding, but also to local Eltham MP Vicki Ward and Deputy Mayor Helen Coleman who have been instrumental at the local level in assisting the Wildcats improve its facilities for the local community. It would be remiss of me not to thank the Minister, having met him a couple of times now; he is genuine about providing facilities to encourage female sports participation; something basketball is a leader in.”
Eltham state MP Vicki Ward said more than 5000 would now have “the home base they deserve”. “We love our sport in Eltham. We’re giving our local players, the safe, modern facilities they can be proud of and the clubs the infrastructure they need to grow.”
With the club providing basketball programs and opportunities for females and males aged 3-70, the funding supports a large section of the community and provides safe and secure facilities for all members.
The overall stadium re-development will also include a new school entrance to the stadium, upgrading the current entrance to reflect that of basketball and an extension of the club’s offices to reflect the growth that has occurred over the 20 years since the stadium was built whilst also planning for the future growth of the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club at all levels.
For more information about the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club please contact Greg Jeffers on 9439 5686 or greg@elthamwildcats.net.au
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